Sheriff: Radio host Art Bell died of prescription overdose

Aaron Mayes / AP

In this March 7, 1997, photo, late night talk show host Art Bell sits near a satellite dish at his home in Pahrump, Nev. Authorities in Nevada say Bell died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

In this March 7, 1997, photo, late night talk show host Art Bell sits near a satellite dish at his home in Pahrump, Nev. Authorities in Nevada say Bell died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. (Aaron Mayes / AP)

Associated Press

Art Bell, a former syndicated AM radio host best known for nightly shows in the 1990s featuring paranormal themes and conspiracy theories, died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, authorities in Nevada said Wednesday.

An autopsy found the 72-year-old Bell's death April 13 at home in rural Pahrump was from "multiple drug intoxication from his own lawfully prescribed prescriptions," Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly's office said in a brief Facebook announcement . It called the death an accidental overdose.

Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg, whose office in Las Vegas handled the medical examination, said Bell had the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone, the sedative diazepam and the muscle-relaxant carisoprodol in his system.